Letters to the Editor for May 26, 2014

Published: Monday, May 26, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 10:05 p.m.

With the observance of another Memorial Day upon us, we as Americans are blessed and privileged to again remember the men and women who so honorably and courageously served and died for our country.

As we all might rightly disdain war, it was war that established America and again war that has sustained our country and its precious freedoms. I obviously believe in our coveted First Amendment rights. At the same time, I have no illusions that my freedom to write this and for other people to read it does not come from the press itself, but from the defense of our liberties by war and by the loss of our men and women in conflict.

Let us all honor them again this day and remember our right and privilege to read this and even oppose those very wars was provided by those men and women and their ultimate sacrifices.

Mike Shipman,

Earleton

Outstanding facility

In contrast to the negative press regarding our local Veterans Affairs medical facility, I would like to share my experiences. I can personally attest to the Gainesville VA’s services for veterans and their families being of a level that other health providers only wish they could offer.

I have the ability to discuss lab results with my doctor two hours after the lab appointment. There are various personal assistance sessions on coping with stress or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is online access where your appointments, lab tests and many other services are available. It enables the patient to securely connect with their VA providers, refill prescriptions, etc.

This only scratches the surface but my point is that our local VA facility and its incredible staff do not deserve the recent negative press. I am blessed to have access to this outstanding facility.

Daniel J. Galligan,

Gainesville

Collateral damage

I would like to address some of the comments Jerry Jenkins made in his May 17 letter about my book, “The Elephant in the Classroom.”

First of all, he wrote that the FCAT is no more. That is a minor detail. It is being replaced with Common Core tests. This is a difference without a distinction. It still boils down to a single test to measure the success or failure of a student and possibly teachers as well.

How can we possibly tell a 15-year-old that he or she does not measure up based on a single test? The collateral damage this creates in a child’s self-image is devastating. I know because I have seen them crying in the halls.

Eisenhower coined the term military-industrial complex. There is also an educational-industrial complex. Textbook companies are making millions on our kids, printing new books to align them with the tests those same companies are developing.

Robert M. Stumpf II,

Ocala

Lengthen the school day

Please hear me out: All school days should be longer, like in China. Just like an hour longer, so in that hour we should work on kids’ weaknesses so they become their stronger subjects and more people succeed. What we should do is use tutors to teach kids how to build on their weaknesses. I think this would really help kids succeed in school and help America a lot.

It would drive down the poverty rate, more kids would go to college and it would create more jobs. Maybe I am just a kid but anyone can make change. Right now we have a third-world education but if this change is made, we would have a first-world education. It would be a change for the better. We would be the biggest and best.

Even if this doesn’t get changed, I want my voice to be heard.

Evan Cook,

fifth-grader,

Kimball Wiles Elementary,

Gainesville

Remarkable videos

To supplement Erin Jester’s May 8 article on the Eastside students’ oral history projects, I would like to invite family, friends and neighbors of the 31 subjects interviewed to view the individual 15- to 20-minute documentaries created by the students

Please visit the Eastside Web page (www.eastside.sbac.edu) and click on the “Oral History Project Link” under “News.” You will find the entire collection of all 31 documentaries.

Anyone interested in these fascinating stories should take the time to check out these remarkable videos.

Bobbie Benson,

Gainesville

Economic health

Do you shop at the Citizens Co-op food market? If not, let me tell you what you’re missing! Owned by local residents, Citizens is community-focused by working closely with local growers and to establish sustainable business relationships.

Supporting local food systems is about more than just providing fresh foods. It promotes economic health by ensuring that money spent locally remains in the community. It also promotes food safety and optimal nutrition by shortening the producer-consumer supply chain.

Citizens offers better food choices to the community by selling products that are whole grain, fair trade, organic, gluten-free or non-GMO. It also has a nice selection of beer and wine, fresh baked goods and economical bulk items.

If you’ve never shopped at the co-op, please go this week! Treat yourself to some spicy lentil soup, a pumpkin empanada or an organic chocolate bar.

Shelby Havens,

Gainesville

Recognizing volunteers

I was disappointed The Sun did not cover the E.T. York Work of Heart awards. The Santa Fe Fine Arts Center was filled to overflowing where more than 60 nominees were recognized for their volunteer efforts and some for outstanding work. Gainesville has always been a community where many volunteer and it was good to see them recognized,

<p><b>Defending liberties</b></p><p>With the observance of another Memorial Day upon us, we as Americans are blessed and privileged to again remember the men and women who so honorably and courageously served and died for our country.</p><p>As we all might rightly disdain war, it was war that established America and again war that has sustained our country and its precious freedoms. I obviously believe in our coveted First Amendment rights. At the same time, I have no illusions that my freedom to write this and for other people to read it does not come from the press itself, but from the defense of our liberties by war and by the loss of our men and women in conflict.</p><p>Let us all honor them again this day and remember our right and privilege to read this and even oppose those very wars was provided by those men and women and their ultimate sacrifices.</p><p><i>Mike Shipman,</p><p>Earleton</i></p><p><b>Outstanding facility</b></p><p>In contrast to the negative press regarding our local Veterans Affairs medical facility, I would like to share my experiences. I can personally attest to the Gainesville VA's services for veterans and their families being of a level that other health providers only wish they could offer.</p><p>I have the ability to discuss lab results with my doctor two hours after the lab appointment. There are various personal assistance sessions on coping with stress or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is online access where your appointments, lab tests and many other services are available. It enables the patient to securely connect with their VA providers, refill prescriptions, etc.</p><p>This only scratches the surface but my point is that our local VA facility and its incredible staff do not deserve the recent negative press. I am blessed to have access to this outstanding facility.</p><p><i>Daniel J. Galligan,</p><p>Gainesville</i></p><p><b>Collateral damage</b></p><p>I would like to address some of the comments Jerry Jenkins made in his May 17 letter about my book, “The Elephant in the Classroom.”</p><p>First of all, he wrote that the FCAT is no more. That is a minor detail. It is being replaced with Common Core tests. This is a difference without a distinction. It still boils down to a single test to measure the success or failure of a student and possibly teachers as well. </p><p>How can we possibly tell a 15-year-old that he or she does not measure up based on a single test? The collateral damage this creates in a child's self-image is devastating. I know because I have seen them crying in the halls.</p><p>Eisenhower coined the term military-industrial complex. There is also an educational-industrial complex. Textbook companies are making millions on our kids, printing new books to align them with the tests those same companies are developing. </p><p><i>Robert M. Stumpf II,</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Lengthen the school day</b></p><p>Please hear me out: All school days should be longer, like in China. Just like an hour longer, so in that hour we should work on kids' weaknesses so they become their stronger subjects and more people succeed. What we should do is use tutors to teach kids how to build on their weaknesses. I think this would really help kids succeed in school and help America a lot.</p><p>It would drive down the poverty rate, more kids would go to college and it would create more jobs. Maybe I am just a kid but anyone can make change. Right now we have a third-world education but if this change is made, we would have a first-world education. It would be a change for the better. We would be the biggest and best.</p><p>Even if this doesn't get changed, I want my voice to be heard.</p><p>Evan Cook,</p><p>fifth-grader,</p><p><i>Kimball Wiles Elementary,</p><p>Gainesville</i></p><p><b>Remarkable videos</b></p><p>To supplement Erin Jester's May 8 article on the Eastside students' oral history projects, I would like to invite family, friends and neighbors of the 31 subjects interviewed to view the individual 15- to 20-minute documentaries created by the students</p><p> Please visit the Eastside Web page (www.eastside.sbac.edu) and click on the “Oral History Project Link” under “News.” You will find the entire collection of all 31 documentaries.</p><p>Anyone interested in these fascinating stories should take the time to check out these remarkable videos.</p><p><i>Bobbie Benson,</p><p>Gainesville</i></p><p><b>Economic health</b></p><p>Do you shop at the Citizens Co-op food market? If not, let me tell you what you're missing! Owned by local residents, Citizens is community-focused by working closely with local growers and to establish sustainable business relationships. </p><p>Supporting local food systems is about more than just providing fresh foods. It promotes economic health by ensuring that money spent locally remains in the community. It also promotes food safety and optimal nutrition by shortening the producer-consumer supply chain. </p><p>Citizens offers better food choices to the community by selling products that are whole grain, fair trade, organic, gluten-free or non-GMO. It also has a nice selection of beer and wine, fresh baked goods and economical bulk items. </p><p>If you've never shopped at the co-op, please go this week! Treat yourself to some spicy lentil soup, a pumpkin empanada or an organic chocolate bar.</p><p><i>Shelby Havens,</p><p>Gainesville</i></p><p><b>Recognizing volunteers</b></p><p>I was disappointed The Sun did not cover the E.T. York Work of Heart awards. The Santa Fe Fine Arts Center was filled to overflowing where more than 60 nominees were recognized for their volunteer efforts and some for outstanding work. Gainesville has always been a community where many volunteer and it was good to see them recognized,</p><p>Mick Hubert (the voice of the Gators) did a great job.</p><p><i>Ann Ives,</p><p>Gainesville</i></p>